December 20, 2013

I'm back. Not sure what to say when (are you even thinking?) you ask "where have you been?" I guess I could say "I've been busy". Yeah that works.

We have been doing very well. The kids last day of school is today. This starts the beginning of 2 solid weeks of juggling them around while William and I work. I don't know why we always do this but we never officially take time off of work while the kids are out of school. It becomes shall I say hectic to try and figure out how to "place" them places.

The great news is we are blessed with terrific jobs (and bosses) that accommodate our schedules. So, we will do a LOT of teleworking, I'll probably take a few to work a day or two and just take a day here or there. It always works (it's not pretty but it works).

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS. I took yesterday off and COMPLETELY finished buying and wrapping. I'm so darn proud of myself. So today (I actually took a vacation day) I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO.

Willy took the kids and dropped them all off at school and then he was headed out to do his Christmas shopping. I'll only touch on this for a moment. Man are men lucky. I mean with a family of 6, you can't even imagine the juggling I have been doing to think, purchase, organize, wrap, etc. since a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. I don't know about you guys but Willy doesn't put any effort into thinking or shopping for the kids. REMEMBER I HAVE 4. It's a lot of work. Just saying.

Anyway, we are sharing Christmas with the grandparents early this year. We usually get together with them a few days after Christmas but for some reason they want to get together before Christmas. I'm excited though. We haven't spent quality time with Willy's parents in a while and frankly I miss them.

In other news . . .

Sir T got braces right after Halloween. He is so adorable. I thought he would be a bit uneasy with it but he's just rolling with it fine. He finished up his soccer season on a winning note. The team went 5-4. I'm not one to brag but that's our first winning season of soccer EVER. We are not all about winning at the ToddlerTown but we have definitely mastered the losing part. It was nice to finish up winners. Sir T had an awesome season.

Sir K also got braces right after Halloween (cha-ching). These are the times I'm glad I have a full time job. How do people afford braces? Anyway, he loves them too. He started basketball a few weeks ago. First time for him. All I'm saying is it's fun to watch him have fun.

Lady E is doing great. She loves her Brownie troop and is gearing up to start cookie sales. Her best friend is moving away so that has been a tough lesson in life. Hopefully they will keep up on FaceTime or through letters.

Lady A is perfect. She is over the moon with this whole HOLIDAY SEASON. We went to see Santa last weekend and she was so precious. I love watching the world through her eyes.

Willy and I are fine. It's sad how we kind of get lost in the shuffle with life going on. I do miss hanging out with him like the old days. Remember those days with absolutely no responsibility?

That's really about it. Merry Christmas to all and may joy and peace find you and comfort you during this holiday season. Hug tons, love much and remember what Christmas is all about.

September 20, 2013

Wow what happened to the last week and a half???? I mean it flew by for me. I just lay in bed every night now staring at the ceiling thinking "what the heck happened to the day?" I try really hard to stay in the moment but it's extremely difficult when it zips by so quickly.

In other news . . .

Sir T is home sick today. I think it's just a cold since the only symptom is a stuffed up nose. He still continues to eat like a horse and he doesn't have a fever or anything. Hopefully, it will pass with rest and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Sir T left his new sneakers in the kitchen this morning and when I picked them up to put back in the mudroom, I got a crazy thought to try them on. Well guess what? Not only do they fit, they were a little big. WHAT? When did my first born son's feet get bigger than mine? Stop the madness.

Sir K is doing well. He loves his teacher this year. He told us she was big on Scooby-Doo and he isn't lying. At back to school night, Willy and I saw it first hand. Scooby-Doo EVERYWHERE in the classroom. I think it's great. The kids love it and it fosters a good environment for them to learn. In soccer news, he got the chance of a lifetime last Saturday at his soccer game. Daddy (who is the assistant coach) suggested using Sir K as the goalie. Sir K has been asking to give this position a try and he finally got his wish. He looked great. Of course when the ball wasn't anywhere near him, he was watching planes and playing with his clothes but when it counted he did a great job.

Lady E had an exciting moment this morning. We were over at the Home Show at the Dulles Expo and got on camera supporting a local merchant. She even had a speaking role on tv. Of course, I cried. She looked so sure of herself. Man she's got confidence in herself. Do all 7 year olds have that much confidence? I was so proud of her. I keep watching her video online and it makes me so happy. Lady A was goo, goo, goo over watching her sister on television.

Lady A has a big day today as well. Today is the first day of Kicks 4 Kids. It's a soccer program that comes to her pre-school. She is so excited to be playing soccer like her siblings.

Willy's foot problem kicked up again last night. He went to the doctor this morning and had the small joint in his foot drained. GOOD GRIEF THAT SOUNDS AWFUL. Anyway, we should know soon what the problem is. The doctor is suspecting gout.

Me, I'm doing ok. I keep wanting to start exercising and then I don't; work is demanding lately which NEVER helps my family life; and we were supposed to have an adult play date this weekend and it fell through. Oh well. I have tons of activities this weekend with soccer, softball and a soccer get-together on Sunday so I've definitely got stuff to do.

September 10, 2013

It's been SOOOO long I feel like I should re-introduce myself. We have been on quite a ride lately. Let me see if I can justify my absence.

Since my last post, the family took a MUCH NEEDED vacation, started school and started sports activities. We were gone for 2 weeks. IT WAS FANTASTIC.

We started off in Williamsburg, Virginia. Instead of doing the usual two weeks in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, we decided to break the trip up with a few days in Williamsburg and it was a perfect decision. We stayed at Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites. I was a little worried since we purchased a VERY CHEAP package that included 3 days/2 nights at the hotel, free breakfast each morning, and family passes to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised. The room was very clean (yet small) and the customer service was fabulous. The hotel was nestled in a quiet and beautiful setting and our family had a wonderful time. If anything came out of this experience, it's the ToddlerTown can't do a one bedroom hotel room anymore. 6 people is just too many for a small room.

On the day we visited Busch Gardens (it's been over 25 years since my last visit), it was a tad overcast and threatening rain all day. Sounds bad but the park was almost empty and the ToddlerTown moved around with no lines anyway. I must say, I am a pretty cool mom. I rode about 10 different roller coasters and had a blast. It was a perfect day.

The next day we headed to Water Country USA. Again, overcast in the morning but then about 12:30 the sky cleared and it was gorgeous. We ended up having a wonderful time. We opened and closed the park. Again a perfect day.

After a couple of days of amusement park fun, we headed to the Outer Banks. We usually stay in Corolla, NC but this year took a chance on Kill Devil Hills. I have always been afraid of that area just because it is so commercial compared to Corolla BUT yet again, it was perfect. We stayed in a 4 level townhouse across from the ocean but it was a short distance from the beach and not a problem. The best part was the complex had a water park for the kids. It wasn't anywhere near Water Country USA but definitely did the trick. A couple of days the beach was closed because of riptides but since the weather was gorgeous, we just hung out at the water park.

My sister and her family (she has 4 boys) joined us for a few days and it was a blast. The kids played wonderfully together and we all had a memorable time.

After my sister and her family left, we decided to do something we in general don't do. We ventured out into the town to partake in some of the activities. We literally stumbled across a place called Jockey's Ridge State Park. It was heaven. If you have time, check out their website. It's truly a beautiful area. We also did a small amusement park, went out to eat a few times and just enjoyed flying kites and being together.

AND NOW WE ARE BACK IN THE real world. School started, soccer started, and softball started. We are in full swing. All the kids got great teachers and everyone is so enthusiastic about learning.

In other news . . .

Sir T had his first 2 soccer games this past weekend and they won both of them. The team is a completely different team than last summer. They acquired about 5 new boys that are very talented. I'm so happy that Sir T is on a great team that appears to have great potential for the coming season. We teach our children all the time that winning isn't everything but I must say we have mastered losing and these first 2 wins are such a great feeling. I'm so proud of him and how hard he works.

Sir K is also doing soccer again. This year we have a bigger field and a goalie. I think Sir K was a little tired during and after the game. I must say, they are playing on a huge field. Poor guy was exhausted after the game. He had a couple of break-aways (which daddy loved) and almost scored two goals. I am super proud of his efforts.

Lady E started softball this past weekend as well. We don't know anyone on the team but the coach is really great with the girls. He even said she had a very accurate throwing arm (she got that from me of course). She looks good out there on the field. I must say she is a little powerhouse and seems to be able to play any sport.

Lady A is still sporting the crazy hairdo she gave herself. I've gotten used to it now. We signed her up for a soccer clinic at school. It's so hard to fit her into the schedule and have something just for her but the pre-school was offering this program so I thought it was a good way to get her into soccer but not have to run her around on the weekends (yet). It starts this week so I know she will be so excited.

Willy's foot is back to normal. He relapsed a bit while we were on vacation and it turns out the bacterial infection might now have been gout. Either way, he's back up and running and doing well. I am sort of out of my funk. Had a small problem at work with one of my bosses that is also a good friend. I guess there is a reason people say don't mix business with pleasure. Our friendship was damaged a bit during the miscommunication but I'm sure we will be fine in the long run. I just have to maintain some distance for awhile.

That's about it. Today Willy has an all day meeting so I got all the kids ready and put everyone where they belonged and now am trying to do a little work (after I finish this blog). I'm so excited about the school year and all the potential I see. We have back to school night tomorrow so it will be nice to meet the teachers and sit in every one's desk for a bit. That always makes me cry.

August 16, 2013

Happy Friday everyone. This is an especially HAPPY Friday for me but I'll explain that in another post.

The kids are MORE than excited that today is the LAST DAY OF SACC. SACC has been a very sore subject at the ToddlerTown for the last 7 weeks. I'm not saying they are all this way but the ToddlerTown did not have a good experience with SACC. The people were nice enough but we had several injuries (a few of which were more than just scraped knees), the food was gross (according to the kids), the price I thought was way too much for what it was and for some reason there were no kids there that any of us knew. All in all, we will try something else next summer. As an end of the summer party, SACC is putting on a fashion show this afternoon. Willy and I are planning on attending as a surprise. Sir T and K didn't get a part but Lady E will be walking the catwalk. It should be cute.

I'm still struggling with Lady A's new hairdo. I've tried everything - clips, hairbands, bows, etc. Nothing works. This is going to be a painful couple of months. Would you think bad of me if I took her to get bang extensions?????? Just kidding of course.

Willy's foot seems to be at about 98% after his bout with a bacteral infection a few weeks ago. I'm still plugging along. Sometimes I feel like I am trapped on the set of Groundhog Day the movie. Does anyone else feel that way???

August 14, 2013

I haven't done this in a while but it's time for a confession. Hop over to E, Myself and I and see who has been naughty or nice (and remember don't judge).

With our vacation SO close I can taste it, I have completely checked out at work and I think people are starting to notice.

Yesterday my boss was sick so I ran over to the mall for a extra LONG lunch and some shopping. It was very therapeutic.

My 3 year old cut her own hair a few days ago and it breaks my heart. She basically cut off all her bangs - peach fuzz style. I feel awful but I can hardly look at her. Please God let it grow back fast.